Remote medical examination

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to remote medical examination of a patient, and, more specifically, to a remote exam attachment that, along with a user device, may capture images of an anatomical feature for examination of a patient. The remote exam attachment may include a lens and may couple to an examination tool, such as a speculum, a scope, or a tongue depressor, which may be used with a camera of the user device. The user device may be configured to adjust one or more settings of the camera, such as the zoom, field of view, aperture, and/or the like. The user device may further be configured to transmit an image captured in conjunction with the remote exam attachment to another user device. Accordingly, the remote exam attachment, along with the user device, may capture, display, and/or transmit images of an anatomical feature, facilitating remote examination of a patient.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/198,668, entitled “REMOTE MEDICALEXAMINATION,” filed Nov. 2, 2020, which is incorporated by reference asif fully set forth below and for all applicable purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to remote medical examinations(e.g., telemedicine) and, in particular, to systems and devices forremote ear, nose, and throat (ENT) examination.

INTRODUCTION

Telemedicine, or virtual medicine, visits may provide several benefitsto both patients and physicians. For instance, a patient may use a callor a video-conference with a doctor as a convenient alternative in termsof time and/or cost to an in-person visit to a clinic. Moreover, byreceiving care at home, the patient may reduce the risk of spreading orcontracting an infectious disease within the clinic. To that end, aphysician or care-provider's risk of contracting an infectious diseasewhile examining a patient may also be reduced with increased use oftelemedicine. Yet, the use of telemedicine remains constrained in fieldsof medicine that rely on more intensive examination procedures, such asear, nose, and throat (ENT) practices. For example, to examine an ear,nose, and/or throat a physician may use an otoscope, one or morespeculums, and/or a tongue depressor. In other words, while examining apatient, the physician may use a set of tools to light, gain access to,and/or magnify anatomical features. However, use of these tools may becumbersome and/or inadequate for use in the telemedicine context. Thus,the use of telemedicine visits is restricted by a limited access to andusability of at-home examination devices for both patients andphysicians, alike.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and devices forfacilitating remote (e.g., virtual) medical examination of a patient.More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a remote examattachment that, along with a user device, maybe be used to captureimages of an anatomical feature for examination of a patient. Forinstance, the remote exam attachment may include a magnifying lens,which may magnify an image of an object obtained at a camera of the userdevice. The remote exam attachment may also couple to an examinationtool, such as a speculum, a scope, a tongue depressor, and/or the like,which may provide access to and/or further magnification of theanatomical feature. Further, the remote exam attachment may couple to anexternal light attachment, which may illuminate the anatomical featuresuch that a user (e.g., a physician) may distinguish aspects of theanatomical feature and/or diagnose a condition associated with theanatomical feature. Moreover, the user device may be configured toadjust one or more settings of the camera, such as the zoom, field ofview, aperture, and/or the like, to interface with the remote examattachment. The user device may be configured to adjust these settingsautomatically, in response to detecting a condition (e.g., an imagefeature, such as the focus of the image), and/or in response to a userinput. The user input may be received directly at the user device from afirst user, such as a patient, and/or remotely from a second user, suchas a physician. The user device may further be configured to transmit animage captured in conjunction with the remote exam attachment to anotheruser device, which may be associated with another user (e.g., aphysician). Accordingly, the remote exam attachment, in conjunction withthe user device, may capture, display, and/or transmit images of ananatomical feature. In this way, the remote exam attachment, along withthe user device, may be used to perform a remote examination of apatient, which may include an examination performed by the patienthimself.

In some aspects, a remote medical examination system comprises: a remoteexam attachment operable to removably couple to a user device, theremote exam attachment comprising a lens and a flange; and an externallight attachment coupled to the remote exam attachment, the externallight attachment comprising: a light source; and a window, wherein thewindow is aligned with the lens such that light passes from the windowthrough the lens. The external light attachment may be operable toremovably couple to the remote exam attachment at the flange. In someinstances, the external light attachment is fixedly coupled to theremote exam attachment. In some instances, the remote exam attachmentfurther comprises a clip, and the remote exam attachment is operable toremovably couple to the user device via the clip. In some aspects, theremote exam attachment further comprises an arm and a support coupled tothe arm, wherein the arm and the support are operable to removablycouple with a tongue depressor. In some instances, the external lightattachment further comprises an additional flange. A speculum may beoperable to removably couple to the remote exam attachment at the flangeor to the external light attachment at the additional flange. Thespeculum may be sized and shaped for use with at least one of an ear ora nose of a patient. In some instances, the remote exam attachment issized and shaped such that the lens is optically aligned with a cameralens of the user device when the remote exam attachment is coupled tothe user device. The camera lens may be a front-facing camera or arear-facing camera of the user device.

In some aspects, a method of remote medical examination comprises:coupling a remote exam attachment to a user device; positioning, withthe remote exam attachment coupled to the user device, a portion of theremote exam attachment in proximity to an orifice of a patient such thata camera of the user device is oriented to capture an image of a regionof interest within the orifice; and obtaining, with the portion of theremote exam attachment in proximity to the orifice of the patient, oneor more images of the region of interest with the camera of the userdevice. The camera of the user device may be a front-facing camera or arear-facing camera. In some instances, the positioning the portion ofthe remote exam attachment in proximity to the orifice of the patientand the obtaining the one or more images of the region of interest withthe camera of the user device are performed by the patient. The methodmay further comprise determining, by the patient, that the camera of theuser device is oriented to capture the image of the region of interestwithin the orifice based on display of the user device. In someinstances, the determining that the camera of the user device isoriented to capture the image of the region of interest within theorifice based on display of the user device comprises viewing areflection of the display in a reflective surface. In some instances,the portion of the remote exam attachment comprises at least part of atongue depressor. The orifice of the patient may be a mouth of thepatient. In some instances, the portion of the remote exam attachmentcomprises at least part of a speculum. The orifice of the patient may beat least one of an ear or a nose of the patient.

Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosurewill become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a front view of a remote examattachment coupled to a user device, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a user device, according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a side view of a remote examattachment, a user device, and a speculum, according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a side view of a remote examattachment, a user device, a speculum, and an external light attachment,according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a rear view of a face of a remote examattachment coupled to a user device, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a perspective view and a schematic view,respectively, of a first ear speculum, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a perspective view and a schematic view,respectively, of a second ear speculum, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate a perspective view and a schematic view,respectively, of a nasal speculum, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a flexible scope, according to embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tongue depressor, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a side view of a remote examattachment, a user device, and a tongue depressor, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a remote exam attachment and a userdevice, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a remote exam attachment and a userdevice, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a remote exam attachment and a userdevice, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a user using the remote exam attachmentof FIG. 14 with a mirror, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a side, exploded view of a remote examsystem, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a remote exam system, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the remote exam system ofFIG. 17, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a speculum, according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a speculum, according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a remote exam system, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is side view of the remote exam system of FIG. 21, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is rear view of the remote exam system of FIGS. 21 and 22,according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thepresent disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It is nevertheless understood that no limitation tothe scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and furthermodifications to the described devices, systems, and methods, and anyfurther application of the principles of the present disclosure arefully contemplated and included within the present disclosure as wouldnormally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosurerelates. In particular, it is fully contemplated that the features,components, and/or steps described with respect to one embodiment may becombined with the features, components, and/or steps described withrespect to other embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake ofbrevity, however, the numerous iterations of these combinations will notbe described separately.

The present disclosure relates to systems and devices for facilitatingremote (e.g., virtual) medical examination of a patient. Morespecifically, the present disclosure relates to at-home examination(e.g., self-examination) of the ear, nose, and/or throat (ENT), amongother anatomical features. In some embodiments, for example, a remoteexam attachment may removably couple to a user device that includes acamera, such as a phone, computer, or tablet, so that the remote examattachment interfaces with the camera. The remote exam attachment mayalso include a magnifying lens. Accordingly, when attached to the userdevice, the remote exam attachment provides additional magnification tothe camera of the user device. Moreover, the remote exam attachment mayremovably couple to a set of speculums and/or scopes that, when attachedto the remote exam attachment, align with the lens. To that end, whenboth the remote exam attachment and a corresponding speculum areattached together at the user device, the camera of the user device maycapture images similar to those captured by an endoscopic device, suchas an otoscope.

In some embodiments, the set of speculums and/or scopes may include aspeculum suitable for examining a patient's nose, which may be rigid orflexible, as well as a speculum suitable for examining a patient's ear.A tongue depressor may further removably couple to the remote examattachment and may be used in oral examinations. Thus, the imagescaptured by the camera with the remote exam attachment and a speculumand/or tongue depressor coupled together at the user device, may be usedby a physician to, remotely or in-person, examine an ear, the nose,and/or the throat of a patient. As such, the capabilities of an ENTspecialist may be extended to scenarios where the ENT may otherwise beunavailable. For example, using the techniques described herein, the ENTspecialist may provide services (e.g., examination services, diagnosticservices, and/or the like) to a hospital, clinic, and/or patient thatotherwise lack access to the services of an ENT specialist. That is, forexample, the ENT specialist may provide services to remote locations,such as a rural location and/or a patient's location during travel,and/or the ENT specialist may provide services to hospitals and/orclinics that are unable to staff an ENT specialist (e.g., due toexpense, availability, and/or the like).

In some embodiments, the patient may use the remote exam attachmentindependently to capture an image of an anatomical feature andsubsequently transmit the image to a physician at a later time.Additionally, or alternatively, the patient may capture and share theimage in real-time during a telemedicine visit with the physician. Forinstance, in such embodiments, the patient and the physician may videoconference, which may allow the physician to view images while they arebeing captured by the patient using a first user device. Byvideo-conferencing, the physician may provide instruction to the patientregarding use of the remote exam attachment, use of the speculums,images needed for the examination, how to best capture these images(e.g., positioning of the remote exam attachment), and/or the like.Further, in some embodiments, the physician may be provided withadditional control over the examination of the patient via a user deviceused by the physician (e.g., a second user device). For instance, whileconducting the telemedicine visit, the physician may be able to controlone or more settings of the patient's user device (e.g., the first userdevice) via the second user device. In some embodiments, for example,the second user device may be configured to control the camera at thefirst user device to adjust the zoom, aperture, field of view of animage and/or to capture and record an image. Moreover, to interface withthe remote exam attachment, the first user device may be configured toautomatically adjust one or more settings of the camera and/or othercomponents of the first user device. To that end, the first user devicemay be configured to turn on the flash, simultaneously capture imageswith multiple cameras, such as a front and a rear-facing camera, adjusta zoom or camera setting based on a lens and/or a speculum attached tothe remote exam attachment, and/or the like, as discussed in greaterdetail below.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a front view (corresponding toa plane with respect to an x-axis 20 and a y-axis 22) of an embodimentof a remote exam attachment 10 coupled to a user device 12. Asillustrated, the remote exam attachment 10 may be implemented as a clip,such as a spring-loaded clip, that may removably attach to the userdevice 12. In other embodiments, the remote exam attachment 10 mayattach to the user device 12 or a case coupled to the user device 12 viamagnets, a clamping mechanism, a suction cup, and/or a screw-onmechanism. Further, the remote exam attachment 10 may be included in acase formed to snap-fit onto the user device 12. In any case, the remoteexam attachment 10 may be implemented to couple to the user device 12 sothat a portion of the remote exam attachment 10, such as a lens, isaligned with a camera of the user device 12, as illustrated in FIG. 3.To that end, the user device 12 may correspond to any suitable devicethat includes a camera, such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptopcomputer, and/or the like. Moreover, while embodiments described hereinrelate to aligning the remote exam attachment 10 with a rear-facingcamera of the user device, embodiments are not limited thereto.Accordingly, in some embodiments, the remote exam attachment 10 may beutilized in conjunction with a front-facing camera, such as front-facingcamera 14.

By interfacing the remote exam attachment 10 with a camera of the userdevice 12, the user device 12 may be used to capture images or videossuitable for use in medical examinations and/or for making a diagnosis.For instance, the remote exam attachment 10 may enable the camera tocapture an image with a magnification, resolution, field of view, and/orthe like suitable to capture details of an anatomical feature forexamination by a physician (e.g., a user). In particular, the remoteexam attachment 10 may be used, along with the user device 12, toexamine and/or capture photos of a dermatological feature (e.g., a mole,cut, burn, and/or the like), an eye, an ear, a nose, a throat, and/orthe like. Further, the remote exam attachment 10 may couple to one ormore examination tools, such as a scope, speculum, and/or a tonguedepressor, which may provide access to an anatomical feature, such as anear, nose, or throat for imaging and examination, as described ingreater detail below. To that end, the user device 12 may correspond toa device used by a physician to examine a patient in-person or a deviceused by a patient to perform an at-home examination with or without theassistance of a third party, for example. Accordingly, in someembodiments, the user device 12 may be implemented to capture, display,and transmit images taken in conjunction with the remote exam attachment10 to another device, such as another user device.

As illustrated, in some embodiments, the user device 12 may beimplemented to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) 16, orapplication, for use during an examination. The GUI 16 may be configuredto assist a user, such as a patient or physician, during theexamination. For instance, the GUI 16 may be configured to provide anoutput, such as a set of visual signals, audio signals, and/or signalsconfigured to cause the user device to vibrate, during the examination.In particular, the user device 12 may output, at the GUI 16, an imagecaptured by the camera of the user device 12 in conjunction with theremote exam attachment 10. The image output to the GUI 16 may beprovided at a display 18, as illustrated. In some embodiments, the GUI16 may be configured to display images captured by the camera infull-screen (e.g., within a majority of the area of the display 18). Assuch, the GUI 16 and/or the user device 12 may be configured to controlthe field-of-view of the camera, the zoom settings of the camera, and/orthe like to ensure an image captured by the camera will fill a certainarea of the display 18. Additionally, or alternatively, the user device12 may be configured to process an image received from the camera by,for example, cropping or zooming in on the image prior to displaying theimage at the GUI 16.

The user device 12 may be configured to receive and/or detect one ormore inputs at the GUI 16. For instance, the GUI 16 may be configured toreceive a user input via an input device (e.g., a sensor, button,touch-screen, microphone, and/or the like) coupled to the user device 12or via an input transmitted to the user device 12 from another device,such as another user device. In this way, the input may correspond to aninput provided by a patient at the user device 12 (e.g., via a firstuser) or an input provided by a physician (e.g., a second user) atanother device communicatively coupled to the user device 12 (e.g., viaa teleconference or a videoconference). To that end, a user may controlthe user device 12 at the user device 12 itself and/or via a remoteconnection with the user device 12. Thus, a physician may remotelyadjust the camera or another component of the user device 12 while apatient positions the user device 12 for examination of an anatomicalfeature, for example. Additionally, or alternatively, an input at theGUI 16 may correspond to a condition automatically detected by the userdevice 12. In any case, the user device 12 may be configured to providean output, via the GUI 16, in response to receiving or detecting the oneor more inputs. For instance, to output the image described above, theuser device 12 and/or the GUI 16 may be configured to detect apercentage and/or an area of the display 18 that the image will occupyand may determine, based on the percentage and/or the area, whether toadjust (e.g., zoom-in, crop, expand, and/or the like) the image fordisplay.

Further, in some aspects, the user device 12 may be configured, via theGUI 16, to control a flash, or light element, of the user device 12. Forinstance, the GUI 16 may maintain the flash powered fully on and/orpowered to provide a certain luminosity. Accordingly, the GUI 16 mayensure that an object imaged at the camera of the user device 12 isilluminated (e.g., by the light provided by the flash). In someembodiments, the GUI 16 may be configured to maintain the flash poweredon throughout use of the GUI 16 and/or throughout an examination, inresponse to determining the remote exam attachment 10 is coupled to theuser device 12, and/or in response to determining an image captured atthe camera lacks a level of brightness, contrast, saturation, and/or thelike. Moreover, the GUI 16 may be configured via one or more usersettings, which may be input at the user device 12.

In some embodiments, the GUI 16 may be configured to use multiplecameras of the user device 12. For instance, the GUI 16 may beconfigured to use a front-facing camera of the user device 12 so that aphysician may view and talk with a patient holding the user device 12and may switch to the rear-facing camera during examination of ananatomical feature of the patient. Because the user device 12 maytransmit images in real-time to a device communicatively coupled to theuser device 12, use of the rear-facing camera may enable the physicianto view images captured in conjunction with the remote exam attachment10 as the patient obtains them. That is, for example, the patient andthe physician may simultaneously view an image as it is being capturedat the user device 12. Further, the GUI 16 and the user device 12 may beconfigured to capture images using multiple cameras simultaneously. Inparticular, the GUI 16 may be configured to use both a front-facing anda rear-facing camera of the user device 12. In such embodiments, a firstimage may be captured by the front-facing camera in a first direction,and a second image may be captured by the rear-facing camera in adifferent, second direction.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary user device 40, according toaspects of the present disclosure. The user device 40 may be user device12, as discussed with respect to FIGS. 1, 3-5, and 11. One or more userdevices 40 can be configured to perform the operations described herein.The user device 40 can include additional circuitry or electroniccomponents, such as those described herein. As shown, the user device 40may include a processor 42, a memory 44, a communication module 48, andan input/output (I/O) port 49. These elements may be in direct orindirect communication with each other, for example via one or morebuses.

The processor 42 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device,another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereofconfigured to perform the operations described herein. The processor 42may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., acombination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration.

The memory 44 may include a cache memory (e.g., a cache memory of theprocessor 42), random access memory (RAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM),read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasableprogrammable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, solid state memorydevice, hard disk drives, other forms of volatile and non-volatilememory, or a combination of different types of memory. In an embodiment,the memory 44 includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Thememory 44 may store instructions 46. The instructions 46 may includeinstructions that, when executed by the processor 42, cause theprocessor 42 to perform the operations described herein. For instance,the instructions 46 may correspond to the GUI 16 run and/or output bythe user device 12, as described herein. Instructions 46 may also bereferred to as code. The terms “instructions” and “code” should beinterpreted broadly to include any type of computer-readablestatement(s). For example, the terms “instructions” and “code” may referto one or more programs, routines, sub-routines, functions, procedures,etc. “Instructions” and “code” may include a single computer-readablestatement or many computer-readable statements.

The communication module 48 can include any electronic circuitry and/orlogic circuitry to facilitate direct or indirect communication of databetween the user device 40 and an additional user device, between theuser device 40 and the remote exam attachment 10, and/or the like. Forinstance, the communication module 48 may facilitate wireless and/orwired communication between various elements of the user device 40,between the user device 40 and the additional user device, and/orbetween the user device and the remote exam attachment 10 using anysuitable communication technology, such as a cable interface such as aUSB, micro USB, Lightning, or FireWire interface, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi,ZigBee, Li-Fi, or cellular data connections such as 2G/GSM, 3G/UMTS,4G/LTE/WiMax, or 5G. Accordingly, the communication module 48 mayinclude one or more transceivers, antennae, and/or the like.

The user device 40 may also include one or more I/O ports 49, which maycouple the user device 40 to an I/O device. For instance, the I/O ports49 may couple the user device 40 to an input device, such as a camera(e.g., camera 14), touch sensitive pad, touch screen display (e.g.,display 18), keyboard, mouse, microphone, trackpad, button, scrollwheel, and/or the like. The I/O ports 49 may further couple the userdevice 40 to an output device, such as a speaker, display (e.g., display18), light (e.g., flash), and/or the like. The input device and/or theoutput device may be integrally formed with the user device 40 or may beseparate from the user device 40. In some instances, an I/O device mayremovably couple to the user device 40 at the I/O ports 49.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a schematic diagram of a side view (correspondingto a plane with respect to a z-axis 51 and a y-axis 22) of the remoteexam attachment 10 and the user device 12 is illustrated, in accordancewith an embodiment. As illustrated, the remote exam attachment 10 mayinclude a clip 54 to couple the remote exam attachment 10 to the userdevice 12 and may include an imaging assembly 56, which may interfacewith the camera 52 of the user device 12, a flash 58 (e.g., a light) ofthe user device 12, or both. More specifically, the imaging assembly 56may be shaped to fit over the camera 52 and/or the flash 58 when theremote exam attachment 10 is coupled to the user device 12. Forinstance, the imaging assembly 56 may be sized to surround the camera 52and/or flash 58 and may be configured for flush positioning orpositioning within a certain distance of the camera 52 and/or the flash58 when the remote exam attachment 10 is coupled to the user device 12.

In addition, the imaging assembly 56 may be formed so that lighttravelling from an object, such as an anatomical feature, to the camera52 may pass through a first face 59 of the imaging assembly 56 and bereceived at the camera 52 via a second face 62 of the imaging assembly.Moreover, the imaging assembly 56 may include a lens 50 aligned with thecamera 52 and positioned between the first face 59 and the second face62. In some embodiments, the lens 50 may be configured to providemagnification (e.g., 1.5×, 2×, 3×, 5×, 6× magnification, and/or thelike) to an image captured at the camera 52. For instance, the lens 50may be a macro lens, a telephoto lens, and/or the like. In this way, theuser device 12 may obtain more detailed images of an anatomical feature.Additionally, or alternatively, the lens 50 may be configured to alterthe field-of-view of the camera 52. In some embodiments, for example,the lens 50 may be a fish eye lens, which may provide wider angles ofview for images captured at the user device 12.

Moreover, the imaging assembly 56 and the lens 50 may be implemented sothat different lenses may be interchanged for use with the camera 52. Tothat end, the imaging assembly 56 may include a plurality of lenses thatmay be rotated or slid from an inactive position out of alignment withthe camera 52 to an active position suitable for use with the camera 52.For instance, the illustrated lens 50 may represent a lens in the activeposition for use with the camera 52, while additional lenses arepositioned elsewhere within the imaging assembly. In other embodiments,the imaging assembly 56 may include a lens housing 60 constructed sothat different lenses may removably couple with the lens housing 60. Insuch embodiments, a first lens (e.g., lens 50) may screw, slide,snap-fit, or pressure-fit into the lens housing 60 and may later beremoved from the housing such that a second lens may be positionedwithin the lens housing 60. Accordingly, any suitable lens may beincluded within the imaging assembly 56 or configured to interface withthe imaging assembly 56 (e.g., at the lens housing 60). Further, in someembodiments, the GUI 16 (FIG. 1) may be configured to detect or receivean input indicating the lens actively used by the remote exam attachment10. In such cases, the GUI 16 may adjust an image captured at the camera52 based on the active lens.

While the remote exam attachment 10 is described herein as interfacing(e.g., via the lens 50) with the camera 52, it may be appreciated thatthe remote exam attachment 10 may interface with multiple camerassimultaneously. In particular, the remote exam attachment 10 may focus,via one or more lenses, light from an object on one or more cameras ofthe user device 12 so that the user device 12 may capture an image ofthe object. To that end, embodiments described herein are intended to beillustrative and not limiting.

As further illustrated, the remote exam attachment 10 may couple to aspeculum 64 (e.g., an examination tool). In particular, the speculum 64may correspond to a speculum sized and shaped to fit within an ear canaland/or a nasal passage, as better illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B, 7A-7B,8A-8B, and 9. Additionally or alternatively, the speculum 64 may be aflexible scope, which may be flexed in one or more directions tonavigate to a position within a cavity, such as a nasal passage. To thatend, the speculum 64, along with the remote exam attachment 10, mayprovide access to a patient's internal anatomical features, such as anear canal and/or a nasal passage, for imaging and/or examination via thecamera 52. Additionally, or alternatively, the speculum 64 may includean additional lens. In this way, the speculum 64 may provide additionalmagnification (e.g., along with the lens 50) to an image of an objectcaptured at the camera 52. Thus, in some embodiments, the remote examattachment 10 may be used for examination of an ear or nose, among otheranatomical features, when coupled with the speculum 64. Moreover, insome embodiments, the GUI 16 (FIG. 1) may be configured to detect orreceive an input identifying a speculum (e.g., speculum 64) coupled tothe remote exam attachment 10. In such cases, the GUI 16 may adjust animage captured at the camera 52 based on the identified speculum.

The speculum 64 and the remote exam attachment 10 may be coupled via asnap-fit connection, a pressure-fit connection, threading, magnets,and/or the like. Thus, in some embodiments, the imaging assembly 56 mayinclude a flange 66 that may maintain a stable connection with thespeculum 64, when attached, so that the speculum 64 is secured duringexamination of a patient. Similarly, the speculum 64 may include anannular ring or may otherwise change diameter to interface with theflange 66.

In some embodiments, light provided by the flash 58 may be sufficient toilluminate an anatomical feature for an image suitable for use in anexamination to be captured by the camera 52. For instance, the lightprovided by the flash 58 may illuminate a patient's oral cavity wellenough that a physician can distinguish features within the patient'smouth and/or throat and can make a diagnosis regarding the health ofthose features. In such embodiments, the imaging assembly 56 may beimplemented so that light from the flash 58 may exit the imagingassembly 56 via the first face 59 from the second face 62.

In some embodiments, the light provided by the flash 58 may not besufficient to illuminate an anatomical feature for the examination imageto be captured by the camera 52. For instance, the light provided by theflash 58 may not be sufficient to light an anatomical feature, such as anasal cavity or an ear cavity, when the remote exam attachment 10 iscoupled to a speculum (e.g., speculum 64). Moreover, in someembodiments, the light provided by the flash 58 may not be sufficient tosuitably illuminate an anatomical feature even when the remote examattachment 10 is used without a speculum. Accordingly, in someembodiments, the remote exam attachment 10 may be in communication withan additional light external to the user device 12, as illustrated inFIG. 4

With reference now to FIG. 4, a schematic diagram of a side view(corresponding to a plane with respect to a z-axis 51 and a y-axis 22)of the remote exam attachment 10, as well as the user device 12, thespeculum 64, and an external light attachment 80 capable of interfacingwith the remote exam attachment 10 is illustrated. In some embodiments,the external light attachment 80 may be used in place of the flash 58 toilluminate an anatomical feature. Accordingly, the external lightattachment 80 may include a light source 82, such as a fiber opticlight, a light emitting diode (LED) light, and/or the like. The lightsource 82 may be powered by a power source 84. In some embodiments, thepower source 84 may be an internal battery, which may be replaced orrecharged. Additionally or alternatively, the external light attachment80 may be powered via a connection with a power source external to theexternal light attachment 80. For instance, the external lightattachment 80 may include a cable 86, which may include electricalwiring (e.g., electrical conductors), terminating in a connector 88. Theconnector 88 may be a lightning connector, a universal serial bus (USB)connector, an electrical plug, and/or the like. Further, by forming anelectrical connection between the connector 88 and an additional powersource, such as the user device 12 itself (e.g., at an electrical port90), a wall outlet, or a battery, power may be transmitted to theexternal light attachment 80 via the connector 88 and the cable 86.

In some embodiments, the external light attachment 80 may additionallyor alternatively supplement and/or modify the light provided by theflash 58 for illumination of an anatomical feature. For instance, insome embodiments, the light source 82 may be positioned so that,together with the flash 58, the overall intensity of light and/or totalarea illuminated during examination of a patient with the remote examattachment 10 increases. Further, in some embodiments, the externallight attachment 80 may include one or more lenses and/or mirrorsdesignated to shaping (e.g., focusing) the light provided by the flash58 to concentrate the light on a particular area.

The external light attachment 80 may couple to the remote examattachment 10 in a similar fashion described above with reference to thespeculum 64. For instance, the external light attachment 80 and theremote exam attachment 10 may be coupled via a snap-fit connection, apressure-fit connection, threading, magnets, and/or the like. As such,the external light attachment 80 may include an annular ring or mayotherwise change diameter to interface with the flange 66. Moreover, theexternal light attachment 80 and the speculum 64 may be coupled via asnap-fit connection, a pressure-fit connection, threading, magnets,and/or the like. Accordingly, the external light attachment may includea flange 92 that may maintain a stable connection with the speculum 64,when attached, so that the speculum 64 is secured during examination ofa patient. The flange 92 and the flange 66 may be shaped and/or sizedsimilarly so that the speculum 64 may couple directly to the remote examattachment 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3, or to the external lightattachment 80, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Further, when coupled to the remote exam attachment 10, light from anobject, such as an anatomical object, may pass through the speculum 64,the external light attachment 80, or both to reach the lens 50. Thelight may then continue from the lens 50 to the camera, where an imagecorresponding to the object may be captured.

While the remote exam attachment 10, the external light attachment 80,and the speculum 64 are illustrated and described herein as separatecomponents, embodiments are not limited thereto. In particular, anycombination of the remote exam attachment 10, the external lightattachment, the speculum 64, or another suitable component may beintegrally formed.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a rear view (corresponding toa plane with respect to the x-axis 20 and the y-axis 22) of a face 120,which may correspond to a face of the remote exam attachment 10, theexternal light attachment 80, or the speculum 64. As furtherillustrated, the face 120 may include an optical area 122, which maycorrespond to a lens or window, and an illumination area 124, which maycorrespond to an area lit by a flash (e.g., flash 58) or another lightsource (e.g., light source 82). More specifically, the optical area 122may correspond to a region of the face 120 in alignment with the camera52 of the user device 12. That is, for example, the optical area 122 maybe positioned within a path travelled by light from an object to thecamera 52 and associated with an image capturable at the camera 52. Asan illustrative example, the face 120 may correspond to the first face59 (FIG. 1) of the remote exam attachment 10 when coupled to the userdevice 12. In such cases, the optical area 122 may correspond to thearea occupied by the lens 50. Further, in embodiments where the speculum64 couples directly to the remote exam attachment 10, the light from theobject may pass through an optical area 122 corresponding to thespeculum 64 and then the lens 50 before reaching the camera 52. Inembodiments where the speculum 64 is coupled to the external lightattachment 80, which, in turn, is coupled to the remote exam attachment10, the light may pass through the optical area 122 (e.g., a window)corresponding to the speculum 64, proceed through an optical areacorresponding to the external light attachment 80 and aligned with theoptical area of the speculum 64, and then pass through the lens 50 toreach the camera 52. In addition, when the external light attachment 80is coupled to the remote exam attachment 10 without a speculum 64coupled to either the external light attachment 80 or the remote examattachment 10, the light may pass through the optical area of theexternal light attachment 80 and then pass through the lens 50 to reachthe camera 52.

In the illustrated embodiment of the face 120, the optical area 122 isspaced from the illumination area 124. In some embodiments, this spacingand/or definition between the optical area 122 and the illumination area124 may be accomplished by a wall positioned between the optical area122 and the illumination area 124 within the remote exam attachment 10,the external light attachment 80, and/or the speculum 64. In otherembodiments, the optical area 122 and the illumination area 124 mayoverlap or correspond to the same region within the remote examattachment 10, the external light attachment 80, and/or the speculum 64.

Turning now to FIGS. 6-9, embodiments of speculums (e.g., scopes), suchas the speculum 64, that may interface with the remote exam attachment10 and/or the external light attachment 80 are illustrated. Forinstance, FIGS. 6A-B illustrate a perspective view and a schematic viewof a first ear speculum 200. As illustrated, a body 202 of the first earspeculum may taper from a diameter 204 corresponding to an attachmentend 206 to a diameter 208 corresponding to an examination end 210 over alength 212. In some embodiments, the attachment end 206 may couple tothe remote exam attachment 10 and/or the external light attachment 80.Accordingly, the diameter 204 may be sized to engage with the remoteexam attachment 10 (e.g., at flange 66) and/or the external lightattachment 80 (e.g., at flange 92). In some embodiments, the diameter204 may be approximately 24 millimeters (mm), but embodiments are notlimited thereto.

Further, the examination end 210 may be sized for introduction into apatient's ear canal. Moreover, the length 212 may enable the examinationend 210 to be positioned a certain distance within the ear canal.Accordingly, the length 212 and the diameter 208 may facilitate accessto a patient's ear canal for imaging (e.g., at the camera 52) and/orexamination. In some instances, for example, diameter 208 may beapproximately 6 mm, and the length 212 may be approximately 32 mm.

It is understood that the dimensions of the speculums may be selectedfor particular applications and/or uses. Referring to FIG. 6B and Table1 (below), some exemplary dimensions for different speculum areprovided. In this regard, a length 214 of the attachment end 206 in FIG.6B corresponds to dimension a in Table 1. In some instances, the length214 and/or the dimension a may be based on a distance from an edge ofthe speculum to an insertion point. In some applications, the length 214and/or the dimension a may be between about 3.00 mm and about 15.00 mm.The length 212 of the body 202 in FIG. 6B corresponds to dimension b inTable 1. In some instances, the length 212 and/or the dimension b may bebased on a distance from a beginning of a loft shape of the speculum toa minimum diameter of the speculum. In some applications, the length 212and/or the dimension b may be between about 10.00 mm and about 40.00 mm.The diameter 208 of the examination end 210 in FIG. 6B corresponds todimension c in Table 1. In some instances, the diameter 208 and/or thedimension c may be based on an internal diameter of a distal end of thespeculum. In some applications, the diameter 208 and/or the dimension cmay be between about 1.00 mm and about 15.00 mm. A length 216 of thespeculum 200 in FIG. 6B corresponds to dimension d in Table 1. In someinstances, the length 216 and/or the dimension d may be based on anend-to-end length of the speculum. In some applications, the length 216and/or the dimension d may be between about 20.00 mm and about 80.00 mm.The diameter 204 of the attachment end 206 in FIG. 6B corresponds todimension e in Table 1. In some instances, the diameter 204 and/or thedimension e may be based on an external diameter of a proximal end ofthe speculum. In some applications, the diameter 204 and/or thedimension e may be between about 20.00 mm and about 40.00 mm.

TABLE 1 Speculum a (mm) b (mm) c (mm) d (mm) e (mm) #1 8.00 32.00 1.9242.30 24.10 #2 8.00 32.00 2.94 42.30 24.10 #3 8.00 32.00 3.96 42.3024.10 #4 8.00 32.00 5.0 42.30 24.10 #5 8.00 16.00 8.98 26.50 24.10

FIGS. 7A-B illustrate a perspective view and a schematic view of asecond ear speculum 250. As similarly described above with reference tothe first ear speculum 200, a body 252 of the second ear speculum maytaper from a diameter 254 corresponding to an attachment end 256 to adiameter 258 corresponding to an examination end 260 over a length 262.In some embodiments, the diameter 254 may be the same as the diameter204 of FIG. 6B, as the attachment end 256 may couple to the remote examattachment 10 and/or the external light attachment 80. On the otherhand, the diameter 258 of the examination end 260 and/or the length 262may vary from the diameter 208 and the length 212, respectively. Morespecifically, in some embodiments, the first ear speculum 200 maycorrespond to a large ear speculum, while the second ear speculum 250may correspond to a small ear speculum. That is, for example, the firstear speculum 200 may be suitable for examination of ear canals, such asan adult patient's ear canal, with a relatively larger diameter (e.g.,greater than 6 mm), while the second ear speculum 250 may be suitablefor examination of ear canals, such as a child patient's ear canal, witha relatively smaller diameter (e.g., less than 6 mm). In some instances,for example, the diameter 258 may be approximately 4 mm.

FIGS. 8A-B illustrate a perspective view and a schematic view of a nasalspeculum 300. As similarly described above, a body 302 of the nasalspeculum may taper from a diameter 304 corresponding to an attachmentend 306 to a diameter 308 corresponding to an examination end 310 over alength 312. In some embodiments, the diameter 304 may be the same as thediameter 204 of FIG. 6B and/or the diameter 254 of FIG. 7B, as theattachment end 306 may couple to the remote exam attachment 10 and/orthe external light attachment 80. On the other hand, the diameter 308 ofthe examination end 310 may vary from the diameter 208 and/or 258. Morespecifically, in some embodiments, the examination end 310 may be sized(e.g., at the diameter 308) for positioning within and/or to provideillumination to a patient's nasal passage. Accordingly, in someinstances, the diameter 308 may be approximately 11 mm, for example.Further, in some embodiments, the nasal speculum 300 may be sized forpositioning at an entrance to the patient's nasal cavity, which may bemore readily accessible than a patient's ear canal. Thus, the length 312may be shorter (e.g., 16 mm) than the length 212, length 262, or both.

It may be appreciated that the speculums, such as 64, 200, 250, and 300,illustrated and described herein may be implemented with any suitabledimensions. That is, for example, while the speculums 64, 200, 250, and300 may be described as having particular diameters, lengths, and/orrelationships between these dimensions, embodiments are not limitedthereto.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic view of a flexible scope 350. In someembodiments, the flexible scope 350 may include a body 352 having anattachment end 354, which may couple to the remote exam attachment 10and/or the external light attachment 80, as well as an examination end356. Moreover, the body 352 may bend, or flex, between one or morepositions, such as the illustrated first position 358 and secondposition 360. Accordingly, the body 352 may be formed with a semi-rigidmaterial and/or a set of jointed segments capable of being torqued atone or more joints. Further, while the body 352 is illustrated, asbending in a first direction indicated by arrow 362 or a seconddirection indicated by arrow 364 between the first position 358 and thesecond position 360, the body 352 may bend in any suitable direction toany suitable position.

As further illustrated, the flexible scope 350 may include a lens 370optically coupled to a set of communication relays 372. The set ofcommunication relays 372 may include one or more optical fibers,mirrors, and/or additional lenses. To that end, the lens 370 and the setof communication relays 372 may be positioned within the body 352 andcoupled to one another such that light from an object (e.g., ananatomical feature) may be gathered at the examination end 356 andtransmitted (e.g., relayed) to the attachment end 354. Morespecifically, the lens 370 and the set of communication relays 372 maytransmit the light from the object such that an image corresponding tothe object may be captured at the camera 52. Thus, the lens 370 mayfocus light from the object at the optical relays, and in someembodiments, the lens 370 may provide magnification.

Additionally, or alternatively, the lens 370 may be included in a camerapositioned within the body 352, and the set of communication relays 372may correspond to a set of communication lines (e.g., electricalcommunication lines and/or optical fibers). These communication linesmay transmit an image captured at the camera within the body 352 to theuser device 12. For instance, the communication lines may electricallycouple to the cable 86 of the external light attachment 80 and maycommunicatively couple to the user device 12 via the connector 88 at theelectrical port 90. Further, in some embodiments, an image captured atthe camera within the body 352 may be transmitted to the user device 12via a wireless communication interface (e.g., a connection viaBluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Li-Fi,cellular data, and/or the like).

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a tongue depressor 400. Thetongue depressor 400 includes a handle 402, as well as a depressor end404. In some embodiments, the handle 402 may be shaped for grippingand/or may include a notched end 406, which prevent the tongue depressor400 from slipping from a user's hand. The handle 402 may further beshaped to interface with the remote exam attachment 10 and/or the userdevice 12, as described with reference to FIG. 11. Moreover, thedepressor end 404 may be flattened with respect to the y-axis 22 and maybe formed with a width 408 greater than a width 410 of the handle 402,as illustrated. Accordingly, the depressor end 404 may be used toimmobilize and/or flatten a patient's tongue during examination of apatient's oral cavity and/or throat.

In some embodiments, the tongue depressor 400 may be formed from a stiffmaterial so that the depressor end 404 does not substantially bend orbreak under pressure exerted at the handle 402 to depress a patient'stongue. For instance, the tongue depressor 400 may be formed withstainless steel, among other suitable materials. Further, in someembodiments, the tongue depressor 400 may be formed from a material,such as stainless steel, that is conducive to reuse. That is, forexample, the tongue depressor 400 may be formed from a material that maybe washed and/or sterilized between uses, which may enable repeated useof the tongue depressor 400.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic diagram of a side view (corresponding toa plane with respect to the z-axis 51 and the y-axis 22) of remote examattachment 450 coupled to the tongue depressor 400, as well as the userdevice 12. The remote exam attachment 450 may be similar to the remoteexam attachment 10 described herein. As illustrated, the remote examattachment 450 may include an arm 452 and may couple to the tonguedepressor 400 via the arm 452. In some embodiments, for example, the arm452 may secure the tongue depressor 400 within a holder and/or with asupport 454. For instance, the support 454 may slide, rotate, orotherwise move to allow the tongue depressor 400 to be positioned withinthe arm 452, and subsequently, the support 454 may be moved to theillustrated position to couple the tongue depressor to the remote examattachment 450 and/or maintain alignment of the tongue depressor 400 ina certain position. In particular, the arm 452 and/or support 454 maymaintain a distance between the imaging assembly 56 and the tonguedepressor 400 within a range 456. In this way, even as pressure isexerted at the handle 402, which may pull the depressor end 404 downward(e.g., with respect to the y-axis 22), the distance between the tonguedepressor 400 and the imaging assembly 56 may not exceed the range 456.As a result, the imaging assembly 56 may be maintained in a position,with respect to the tongue depressor 400, suitable to capture images foran oral examination. To that end, the user device 12 and the tonguedepressor 400 may be moved and used in tandem and/or with one hand,which may improve usability of the remote exam attachment 450 duringself-examination.

While the tongue depressor 400 is illustrated as being spaced from theuser device 12, it may be appreciated that, when coupled to the remoteexam attachment 450, the tongue depressor 400 may be flush with the userdevice 12. To that end, the tongue depressor 400 may be formed with aflattened handle 402, which may facilitate simultaneous gripping of thehandle 402 and the user device 12. Moreover, while the tongue depressor400 is described as coupling to the remote exam attachment 450 via asupport 454, the tongue depressor 400 may additionally or alternativelycouple to the remote exam attachment 450 and/or the user device 12 viamagnets, a clip-in mechanism, a pressure fit connection, a snap-fitconnection, and/or the like. It may further be appreciated that theremote exam attachment 10 may be coupled to both the external lightattachment 80 and the tongue depressor 400. In this way, the externallight attachment 80 may provide illumination during examination of apatient's oral cavity with the tongue depressor 400, for example.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement that includes aremote exam attachment 500 and a user device 12, according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The remote exam attachment 500may incorporate one or more aspects or features of the remote examattachments and/or tongue depressors described above with respect toFIGS. 1-4, 10, and 11. As shown in FIG. 12, the remote exam attachment500 includes a structural body 502. The structural body 502 may beformed of any suitable material, including plastics and/or metals. Thestructural body 502 includes an elongated portion 504. The elongatedportion 504 may be sized and shaped to interface with the back of theuser device 12. In some instances, the elongated portion 504 is sizedand shaped to sit flush against a back surface of the user device 12.The structural body 502 also includes a distal portion 506. In theillustrated example, the distal portion 506 curves outward from theelongated portion 504 such that the distal portion 506 extends away fromthe user device 12. In other instances, the distal portion 506 mayextend at an oblique or perpendicular angle relative to the elongatedportion 504. The distal portion 506 may serve as a tactile referenceand/or grip structure for a user. In this regard, a user may utilize thedistal portion 506 to maintain the position of the remote examattachment 500 relative to the user device 12 in some instances.

The structural body 502 of the remote exam attachment 500 also includesa tongue depressor 508. The tongue depressor 508 may be rigidly attachedto the elongated portion 504. In other instances, the tongue depressor508 may be pivotally attached to the elongated portion 504 such that thetongue depressor can transition from an expanded position (as shown inFIG. 12) to a retracted or reduced profile position. In some instances,the tongue depressor 508 may extend downward toward or to the distalportion 506 in the retracted or reduced profile position.

The remote exam attachment 500 also includes a lens 510 coupled to thestructural body 502. The lens 510 may be similar to the lens 50described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In this regard, thelens 510 may be configured to be aligned with a front-facing camera lensof the user device 12. The lens 510 may be configured to providemagnification (e.g., 1.5×, 2×, 3×, 5×, 6× magnification, and/or thelike) to an image captured by the front-facing camera. In someinstances, the remote exam attachment 500 and/or the structural body 502may be configured such that the different lenses 510 having differentoptical characteristics may be interchangeably coupled to the structuralbody 502. Further, in some instances, the remote exam attachment 500and/or the structural body 502 may be configured to facilitate the useof multiple lenses simultaneously.

The remote exam attachment 500 also includes a light source 512 andoptical element 514. In this regard, the light source 512 and opticalelement 514 may be utilized to generate sufficient illumination to innercavities (e.g., throat, ear, nose, etc.) of the patient to obtainsuitable photos and/or videos. The light source 512 may be any suitablelight source, including a fiber optic light source, a laser lightsource, a light emitting diode (LED), or otherwise. The light source 512may include a dedicated and/or integrated power supply. Alternatively,the light source 512 may draw power from the user device 12. The opticalelement 514 may be an optical fiber, a light pipe, an LED, or othersuitable component to output light/energy generated by the light source512.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a remote exam attachment 600 and a userdevice 12, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Theremote exam attachment 600 may incorporate one or more aspects orfeatures of the remote exam attachments described above with respect toFIGS. 1-4 and 10-12. As shown in FIG. 13, the remote exam attachment 600includes a structural body 602. The structural body 602 may be formed ofany suitable material, including plastics and/or metals. The structuralbody 602 includes an elongated portion 604. The elongated portion 604may be sized and shaped to interface with the back of the user device12. In some instances, the elongated portion 604 is sized and shaped tosit flush against a back surface of the user device 12 and extend toeach side of the user device 12. The structural body 602 also includes alateral arm 606 on each end of the elongated portion 604. The lateralarms 606 may be spring-loaded relative to elongated portion 604. In theillustrated example, the lateral arms 606 extend perpendicular to theelongated portion 604 such that the lateral arms 606, along with theelongated portion 604, securely engage the user device 12. In someinstances, a portion of the lateral arms 606 extend partially across afront surface of the user device. The spring-loaded nature of thelateral arms 606 allows the user device 12 to be inserted into thestructural body 602 and securely held in place. Further, thespring-loaded nature can allow for use of the same structural body 602with multiple different types and/or sizes of phones. Other mountingstructures based on spring-loaded and/or resiliently deformable plasticsor other materials may be used in a similar manner to couple the remoteexam attachment 600 to the user device.

The remote exam attachment 600 also includes a lens 610 coupled to thestructural body 602. The lens 610 may include some features similar tothe lenses 50 and 510 described above with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and12. In this regard, the lens 610 may be configured to be aligned with afront-facing camera lens of the user device 12. The lens 610 may beconfigured to provide magnification (e.g., 1.5×, 2×, 3×, 5×, 6×magnification, and/or the like) to an image captured by the front-facingcamera. In some instances, the remote exam attachment 600 and/or thestructural body 602 may be configured such that the different lenses 610having different optical characteristics may be interchangeably coupledto the structural body 602. Further, in some instances, the remote examattachment 600 and/or the structural body 602 may be configured tofacilitate the use of multiple lenses simultaneously.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a user device 12 and a remote examattachment 700, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Theremote exam attachment 700 may incorporate one or more aspects orfeatures of the remote exam attachments and/or tongue depressorsdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1-4 and 10-13. As shown in FIG.14, the remote exam attachment 700 includes a structural body 702. Thestructural body 702 may be formed of any suitable material, includingplastics and/or metals. The structural body 702 includes an interfaceportion 704. The interface portion 704 may be sized and shaped tointerface with the back of the user device 12. In some instances, theinterface portion 704 is sized and shaped to sit flush against a backsurface of the user device 12. In some aspects, the interface portion704 may be sized and shaped to allow a user to hold the remote examattachment 700 against the user device 12 using the interface portion704. In this regard, the remote exam attachment 700 may not fixedlysecure to the user device 12 via clip, clamp, or other mechanism.Instead, the remote exam attachment 700 may be held in place relative tothe user device by a user. For example, a user may apply one or boththumbs to the interface portion 704, while using other fingers to graspthe sides and/or front of the user device 12. In this way, a user caneasily position and reposition the remote exam attachment 700 relativeto the user device 12 and, in particular, relative to one or morecameras and/or light sources of the user device 12 in order to obtainpictures and/or videos of the patient's anatomy. In some instances, theuser is the patient (see, e.g., FIG. 15).

The structural body 702 may also include a structural fin 706. In theillustrated example, the structural fin 706 extends in a directionopposite of the interface portion 704 relative to a tongue depressor 708of the remote exam attachment 700. In this regard, the structural fin706 may provide structural integrity to the structural body 702 tocounter the loads that may result from a user applying pressure on adistal end of the tongue depressor 708. Further, the structural fin 706may help maintain the position of the remote exam attachment 700relative to the user device 12 under such loading conditions.

The structural body 702 of the remote exam attachment 700 also includesa tongue depressor 708. The tongue depressor 708 may be rigidly attachedto the interface portion 704 and/or the structural fin 706. In otherinstances, the tongue depressor 708 may be pivotally attached to theinterface portion 704 and/or the structural fin 706 such that the tonguedepressor can transition from an expanded position (as shown in FIG. 14)to a retracted or reduced profile position. In some instances, thetongue depressor 708 may extend downward (e.g., along the backside ofthe user device 12) in the retracted or reduced profile position.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an arrangement 800 showing a user 802using the remote exam attachment 700 of FIG. 14 with a mirror 810,according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the user802 can position the remote exam attachment 700 such that the interfaceportion 704 is held against the back of the user device 12 while adistal end of the tongue depressor 708 extends within a mouth of theuser 802. The user 802 may use one or both thumbs 804 to hold theinterface portion 704 against the user device 12. Further, the user 802may adjust the relative position of the remote exam attachment 700 suchthat a front-facing camera of the user device 12 is able to capture to asuitable image/video of the relevant anatomy inside the user's mouth. Inthis regard, the user 802 may utilize a mirror 810 to view the displayof the user device 12 to determine what positional adjustments (e.g., ofthe remote exam attachment 700, the user device 12, and/or the user802), if any, may be needed to obtain the desired image/video. Forexample, as shown the user 802 may see a reflection of the userinterface 812 of the user device 12 in the mirror showing a preview ofthe image/video and/or the current view of the camera and can adjustpositioning as needed. Once the user 802 sees a satisfactory preview ofthe image/video and/or the current view of the camera, then the user 802can actuate the camera of the user device to obtain the image/video. Theapproach shown in FIG. 15 can be adapted to be used with other remoteexam attachments of the present disclosure.

In some instances, instead of the user 802 using the remote examattachment 700 and user device 12 to obtain image(s)/video(s) of theuser's anatomy, the user 802 can utilize the remote exam attachment 700(or any other remote exam attachment and/or associated components of thepresent disclosure) to obtain image(s)/video(s) of another person'sanatomy. This may be particularly useful for patients that are children,elderly, and/or otherwise may have difficultly self-administering theremote exam attachment 700 and user device 12. In such instances, theuser 802 may directly view the user interface of the user device 12(e.g., without use of a mirror) to see a preview of the image/videoand/or the current view of the camera and can adjust positioning of theremote exam attachment 700, the user device 12, and/or the patient, asneeded.

In some instances, a method of remote medical examination comprisescoupling a remote exam attachment to a user device; positioning, withthe remote exam attachment coupled to the user device, a portion of theremote exam attachment in proximity to an orifice of a patient such thata camera of the user device is oriented to capture an image of a regionof interest within the orifice; and obtaining, with the portion of theremote exam attachment in proximity to the orifice of the patient, oneor more images of the region of interest with the camera of the userdevice. The camera of the user device may be a front-facing camera.Also, the positioning of the portion of the remote exam attachment inproximity to the orifice of the patient and the obtaining the one ormore images of the region of interest with the camera of the user devicemay be performed by the patient or another user. In some instances, themethod includes determining, by the patient, that the camera of the userdevice is oriented to capture the image of the region of interest withinthe orifice based on display of the user device. In this regard, thedetermining that the camera of the user device is oriented to capturethe image of the region of interest within the orifice based on displayof the user device may include viewing a reflection of the display in areflective surface, such as a mirror. In some instances, the portion ofthe remote exam attachment positioned in proximity to the orifice of thepatient comprises at least part of a tongue depressor. The orifice ofthe patient may be a mouth of the patient. In some instances, theportion of the remote exam attachment positioned in proximity to theorifice of the patient comprises at least part of a speculum. Theorifice of the patient may be at least one of an ear or a nose of thepatient.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a side, exploded view of a remote examsystem 900, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Theremote exam system 900 may incorporate one or more aspects or featuresof the remote exam attachments and/or speculums described above withrespect to FIGS. 1-15. As shown in FIG. 16, the remote exam system 900includes a user device 12 and a remote exam attachment 901. The remoteexam attachment 901 can include a spacer 902, one or more opticalelements 904, a housing 906, a speculum 908, a light source 912, and alight path 914. Further, the user device 12 may include and/or executean application 916 that is used in conjunction with the remote examattachment 901 to obtain image(s)/video(s) of patient anatomy. Inparticular, the application 916 may control one or more aspects of theuser device 12 and/or the remote exam attachment 901, including withoutlimitation camera settings (e.g., angular field of view, focus depth,digital zoom parameters, image processing parameters (e.g., noise,low-light processing, etc.), etc.) and/or light settings (e.g., lightsource on/off, timing of light source on/off, brightness of emittedlight, and/or other lighting parameters of the light source 910 and/or alight source/flash of the user device 12). In some instances, theapplication 916 is configured to crop a raw image obtained by the cameraof the user device 12 to mimic the field of view through a speculum withthe natural eye.

The spacer 902 may be formed of any suitable material, includingplastics and/or metals. A proximal portion of the spacer 902 may besized and shaped to interface with one or more camera lenses on the backof the user device 12. In some instances, the proximal portion of thespacer 902 is sized and shaped to engage a back surface of the userdevice 12 such that an optical path of the remote exam attachment 901can be aligned with an optical path of one or more forward-facingcameras of the user device 12. While illustrated as being cylindrical,the proximal portion of the spacer may have other shapes (e.g.,rectangular, square, rounded rectangular, rounded square, geometrical,custom based on user device structural features, etc.). The spacer 902may transition from a non-cylindrical shape to a cylindrical shape alongits length in some instances.

A distal portion of the spacer 902 may be sized and shaped to interfacewith the optical element 904 and/or the housing 906. Each of the one ormore optical elements 904 may be a lens (e.g., similar to the lenses 50,510) described above with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and/or 12. In someinstances, two or more of the spacer 902, one or more optical elements904, and the housing 906 are integrated into a single component. Inother instances, two or more of the spacer 902, one or more opticalelements 904, and the housing 906 are separate components that arecoupled together (e.g., via threaded engagement, snap-fit, or otherengagement structures) for use as the remote exam attachment 901. Insome instances, the one or more optical elements 904 are fixedly securedwithin the housing 906. In this regard, in some instances multiplehousings 906 having different optical element(s) may be supplied withthe remote exam attachment 901. The different optical element(s) may beconfigured to facilitate viewing of particular anatomical features, atparticular focal depths, at particular fields of view, and/orcombinations thereof. Accordingly, a user may select the housing 906with the appropriate optical element(s) for the intended use.

The speculum 908 of the remote exam attachment 901 may be removablycoupled to the distal portion of the housing 906. In other instances,the speculum 908 may be fixedly attached to the housing 906. In someinstances, multiple speculums 908 having different sizes and/or opticalproperties may be supplied with the remote exam attachment 901. Thedifferent speculum may be configured to facilitate viewing of particularanatomical features, within particular anatomical orifices, atparticular focal depths, at particular fields of view, and/orcombinations thereof. Accordingly, a user may select the speculum 908sized and shaped and/or with the optical features for the intended use.

The remote exam attachment 901 also includes the light source 912 andthe light path 914. In this regard, the light source 912 and the lightpath 914 may be utilized to generate sufficient illumination to innercavities (e.g., throat, ear, nose, etc.) of the patient to obtainsuitable photos and/or videos. The light source 912 may be any suitablelight source, including a fiber optic light source, a laser lightsource, a light emitting diode (LED), or otherwise. The light source 912may include a dedicated and/or integrated power supply (e.g., battery,capacitor, etc.). Alternatively, the light source 912 may draw powerfrom the user device 12. The light path 914 may include an opticalfiber, a light pipe, an LED, or other suitable component(s) to outputlight/energy generated by the light source 912. In some instances, thelight path 914 may extend at least partially within the speculum 908. Insome instances, the light path 914 may be positioned adjacent to, butoutside of the speculum 908. In some aspects, the light path 914 iscoupled to a light source of the user device 12 instead of the lightsource 912. That is, the light source 912 may be omitted and the lightpath 914 may interface with a light source (e.g., external flash orflash light) of the user device 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, shown therein is a remote exam system1000, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is aperspective view of the remote exam system 1000, according toembodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 18 is an explodedperspective view of the remote exam system 1000 of FIG. 17, according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The remote exam system 1000 mayincorporate one or more aspects or features of the remote examattachments and/or speculums described above with respect to FIGS. 1-16.The illustrated example of FIGS. 17 and 18 includes many featuressimilar to the remote exam system 900 of FIG. 16. Accordingly, detailsregarding each element of the remote exam system 1000 will not berepeated here. The remote exam system 1000 includes a user device 12 anda remote exam attachment 1001. The remote exam attachment 1001 caninclude a spacer 1002, a housing 1006, a speculum 1008, and a mountingstructure 1020. The remote exam attachment 1001 may include one or moreoptical elements or lenses within the spacer 1002, the housing 1006,and/or the speculum 1008. In some instances, the remote exam attachment1001 further includes a light source and/or a light path.

The mounting structure 1020 may be utilized to removably couple thespacer 1002, the housing 1006, and/or the speculum 1008 to the userdevice 12. In particular, the mounting structure 1020 may be utilized toremovably couple the spacer 1002, the housing 1006, and/or the speculum1008 to the user device 12 such that an optical path of the remote examsystem is aligned with a camera (e.g., front-facing or rear-facing) ofthe user device 12. The components of the mounting structure may beformed of any suitable material, including plastics and/or metals. Asshown, the mounting structure 1020 includes a mounting clamp 1022. Themounting claim 1022 may be similar to structural body 602 describedabove with respect to FIG. 13.

The mounting structure 1020 may further include an elongated portion1024 extending from the mounting clamp 1022. The elongated portion 1024may have a distal portion 1026 sized and shaped to interface with thespacer 1002. In some instances, the distal portion 1026 is sized andshaped to receive and/or couple with a proximal portion of the spacer1002. In some instances, the distal portion 1026 of the elongatedportion 1024 of the mounting structure is permanently and/or fixedlysecured to the spacer 1002 and/or the housing 1006. As shown, a proximalportion of the elongated portion 1024 includes a slot 1028. The slot1028 extends linearly along the length of the elongated portion 1024. Ascrew 1030 (or other selectively locking mechanism) couples theelongated portion 1024 to the mounting clamp 1022. In particular, asshown in FIG. 18, the screw 1030 extends through the slot 1028 andthreadingly engages an opening 1032 in the mounting clamp 1022. Theinterface of the slot 1028 with the screw 1030 allows the elongatedportion 1024 to move linearly along the length of the slot 1028 andpivot about the screw 1030 when the screw is loosened. This movementallows a user to adjust the alignment of an optical axis of the remoteexam attachment 1001 with a camera of the user device 12. Once theremote exam attachment 1001 is properly aligned relative to the userdevice 12, the screw 1030 can be tightened to secure the relativeposition of the remote exam attachment 1001. It will be appreciated thatdifferent and/multiple locking mechanisms may be used to hold theposition of the remote exam attachment 1001 relative to the user device12 once the desired alignment is achieved.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a speculum 1100, according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The speculum 1100 includes a mainbody 1102 and a patient interface 1104. The main body 1102 includes aproximal portion 1106 and a distal portion 1108. Similarly, the patientinterface 1104 includes a proximal portion 1110 and a distal portion1112. In some instances, the distal portion 1108 of the main body 1102is configured to interface with the proximal portion 1110 of the patientinterface 1104. For example, the distal portion 1108 of the main body1102 may receive the proximal portion 1110 of the patient interface 1104via an interference/press fit, snap fit, a threaded engagement, and/orother engagement type such that the patient interface 1104 is, at leasttemporarily, held in a fixed position relative to the main body 1102. Inother instances, the main body 1102 and the patient interface 1104 areintegrally formed. In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 1102also includes an optical element 1114. The optical elements 1114 may bea lens. In some instances, the length of the main body 1102 providessufficient linear distances to allow the use of a single opticalelement. In this regard, the length of the main body 1102 may be betweenabout 3 cm and about 10 cm, or other suitable length. In otherinstances, the main body 1102 includes two or more optical elements. Theoptical element(s) within the main body 1102 may be selected to achievea desired focus depth, field of view, and/or other imaging/videoparameters.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a speculum 1200, according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The speculum 1200 includes a mainbody 1202 and a patient interface 1204. The main body 1202 includes aproximal portion 1206 and a distal portion 1208. Similarly, the patientinterface 1204 includes a proximal portion 1210 and a distal portion1212. In some instances, the distal portion 1208 of the main body 1202is configured to interface with the proximal portion 1210 of the patientinterface 1204. For example, the distal portion 1208 of the main body1202 may receive the proximal portion 1210 of the patient interface 1104via an interference/press fit, snap fit, a threaded engagement, and/orother engagement type such that the patient interface 1204 is, at leasttemporarily, held in a fixed position relative to the main body 1202. Inother instances, the main body 1202 and the patient interface 1204 areintegrally formed. In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 1202also includes an optical element 1214 and an optical element 1216. Theoptical elements 1214 and 1216 may be lenses. In some instances, thelength of the main body 1202 is reduced (e.g., relative to the main body1102 of the speculum 1100) to provide a smaller form factor that can bemore user friendly in some situations. However, the reduced length mayrequire the use of multiple optical elements to achieve a desired focallength and/or field of view. In this regard, in some instances thelength of the main body 1202 may be between about 1 cm and about 4 cm,or other suitable length. In other instances, the main body 1102includes a single optical element. In yet other instances, the main body1102 includes three or more optical elements. The one or more opticalelements within the main body 1102 may be selected to achieve a desiredfocus depth, field of view, and/or other imaging/video parameters.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-23, shown therein is a remote exam system1300, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 21 is aperspective view of the remote exam system 1300, according toembodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 22 is side view of theremote exam system 1300 of FIG. 21, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 23 is rear view of the remote exam system 1300of FIGS. 21 and 22, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.The remote exam system 1300 may incorporate one or more aspects orfeatures of the remote exam attachments described above with respect toFIGS. 1-4 and 11-18. In some aspects, the example illustrated in FIGS.21-23 includes features similar to the remote exam systems 900 and 1000of FIGS. 16 and 17.

The remote exam system 1300 includes a user device 12 and a remote examattachment 1301. The remote exam attachment 1301 can include a housing1302. The housing 1302 can include one or more optical elements 1304(e.g., one or more lenses, mirrors, etc.). In some instances, thehousing 1302 may be further configured to interface with a speculum(e.g., the speculums of FIGS. 3, 4, 6A-8B, and/or 16-20). In thisregard, a distal portion of the housing 1302 may receive a proximalportion of the speculum via an interference/press fit, snap fit, athreaded engagement, and/or other engagement type such that the speculumis, at least temporarily, held in a fixed position relative to thehousing 1302.

The remote exam system 1300 also includes a mounting structure 1320. Themounting structure 1320 may be utilized to removably couple the housing1302 (and associated optical element(s)) to the user device 12. Inparticular, the mounting structure 1320 may be utilized to removablycouple the housing 1302 to the user device 12 such that an optical pathof the remote exam system 1300 can be aligned with a camera (e.g.,front-facing or rear-facing) of the user device 12. The components ofthe mounting structure may be formed of any suitable material, includingplastics and/or metals. As shown, the mounting structure 1320 includes amounting clamp 1322. The mounting claim 1322 may be similar tostructural body 602 described above with respect to FIG. 13 and/or themounting clamp 1022 described above with respect to FIGS. 17 and 18.

The mounting structure 1320 may further include an elongated portion1324 extending from the mounting clamp 1322. The elongated portion 1324may interface with the housing 1302 and/or be integrally formed with thehousing 1302. In some instances, the elongated portion 1324 includes aportion or section sized and shaped to receive and/or couple with aproximal portion of the housing 1302. In some instances, the elongatedportion 1324 of the mounting structure is permanently and/or fixedlysecured to the housing 1302. As shown, a proximal portion of theelongated portion 1324 includes a slot 1328. The slot 1328 extendslinearly along the length of the elongated portion 1324. A screw 1330(or other selectively locking mechanism) couples the elongated portion1324 to the mounting clamp 1322. In particular, the screw 1330 extendsthrough the slot 1328 and threadingly engages an opening in the mountingclamp 1322. The interface of the slot 1328 with the screw 1330 allowsthe elongated portion 1324 to move linearly along the length of the slot1028 and pivot about the screw 1330 when the screw is loosened. Thismovement allows a user to adjust the alignment of an optical axis of theremote exam attachment 1301 with a camera of the user device 12. Oncethe remote exam attachment 1301 is properly aligned relative to the userdevice 12, the screw 1330 can be tightened to secure the relativeposition of the remote exam attachment 1301. It will be appreciated thatdifferent and/multiple locking mechanisms may be used to hold theposition of the remote exam attachment 1301 relative to the user device12 once the desired alignment is achieved.

The remote exam attachment 1301 also includes a light source 1332 andoptical element 1334. In this regard, the light source 1332 and opticalelement 1334 may be utilized to generate sufficient illumination toinner cavities (e.g., throat, ear, nose, etc.) of the patient to obtainsuitable photos and/or videos. The light source 1332 may be any suitablelight source, including a fiber optic light source, a laser lightsource, a light emitting diode (LED), or otherwise. The light source1332 may include a dedicated and/or integrated power supply (e.g.,battery, capacitor, etc.). Alternatively, the light source 1332 may drawpower from the user device 12. The optical element 134 may be an opticalfiber, a light pipe, an LED, or other suitable component to outputlight/energy generated by the light source 1332. In some instances, theoptical element 1334 may extend at least partially within the housing1302. In some instances, the optical element 1334 may be positionedadjacent to, but outside of the housing 1302. Regardless of thepositioning of the output of the optical element 1334 (e.g., inside oroutside of the housing 1302), the optical element 1334 may be orientedsuch that the light output illuminates an area/volume of interest alongthe optical path of the remote exam attachment 1301. In some instances,the light source 1332 and optical element 1334 are used in lieu of thelight source(s) of the user device 12. In other instances, the lightsource 1332 and optical element 1334 are used in combination with thelight source(s) of the user device 12.

Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the apparatus, systems,and methods described above can be modified in various ways.Accordingly, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatthe embodiments encompassed by the present disclosure are not limited tothe particular exemplary embodiments described above. In that regard,although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a widerange of modification, change, and substitution is contemplated in theforegoing disclosure. It is understood that such variations may be madeto the foregoing without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the presentdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A remote medical examination system, comprising:a remote exam attachment operable to removably couple to a user device,the remote exam attachment comprising a lens and a flange; and anexternal light attachment coupled to the remote exam attachment, theexternal light attachment comprising: a light source; and a window,wherein the window is aligned with the lens such that light passes fromthe window through the lens.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theremote exam attachment further comprises a clip, and the remote examattachment is operable to removably couple to the user device via theclip.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote exam attachmentfurther comprises an arm and a support coupled to the arm, wherein thearm and the support are operable to removably couple with a tonguedepressor.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the external lightattachment further comprises an additional flange.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, further comprising a speculum operable to removably couple tothe remote exam attachment at the flange or to the external lightattachment at the additional flange.
 6. The system of claim 5, whereinthe speculum is sized and shaped for use with at least one of an ear ora nose of a patient.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote examattachment is sized and shaped such that the lens is optically alignedwith a camera lens of the user device when the remote exam attachment iscoupled to the user device.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the cameralens is a front-facing camera of the user device.
 9. The system of claim7, wherein the camera lens is a rear-facing camera of the user device.10. The system of claim 1, wherein the external light attachment isoperable to removably couple to the remote exam attachment at theflange.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the external light attachmentis fixedly coupled to the remote exam attachment.
 12. A method of remotemedical examination, comprising: coupling a remote exam attachment to auser device; positioning, with the remote exam attachment coupled to theuser device, a portion of the remote exam attachment in proximity to anorifice of a patient such that a camera of the user device is orientedto capture an image of a region of interest within the orifice; andobtaining, with the portion of the remote exam attachment in proximityto the orifice of the patient, one or more images of the region ofinterest with the camera of the user device.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the camera of the user device is a front-facing camera.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the positioning the portion of the remoteexam attachment in proximity to the orifice of the patient and theobtaining the one or more images of the region of interest with thecamera of the user device are performed by the patient.
 15. The methodof claim 14, further comprising: determining, by the patient, that thecamera of the user device is oriented to capture the image of the regionof interest within the orifice based on a display of the user device.16. The method of claim 15, wherein the determining that the camera ofthe user device is oriented to capture the image of the region ofinterest within the orifice based on the display of the user devicecomprises viewing a reflection of the display in a reflective surface.17. The method of claim 12, wherein the portion of the remote examattachment comprises at least part of a tongue depressor.
 18. The methodof claim 17, wherein the orifice of the patient is a mouth of thepatient.
 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the portion of the remoteexam attachment comprises at least part of a speculum.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the orifice of the patient is at least one of an earor a nose of the patient.